Audio Drums

Since the first 80’s playlist went over so well with so many of you, I thought I would complie a new one for the 4th of July, enjoy!

Rob Base – It Takes Two
Men Without Hats – The Safety Dance
Human League – Don’t You Want Me
Bronski Beat – Why
Tones on Tail – Go
David Bowie – Let’s Dance
Thomas Dolby – She Blinded Me With Science
Yazoo – Don’t Go
Soft Cell – Insecure Me
Depeche Mode – Just Can’t Get Enough
New Order – Blue Monday
Duran Duran – The Chauffeur

Here are some 80’s tunes for one reason or another had an impact on me growing up and thought it would make for a fun playlist this weekend, enjoy!

Laid Back – White Horse

Herbie Hancock – Rockit

Eddy Grant – Electric Avenue

M – Pop Musik

Eurythmics – Sweet Dreams

Frankie Goes To Hollywood – Relax, Don’t Do It

Soft Cell – Sex Dwarf

Depeche Mode – (Set Me Free) Remotivate Me

Tom Tom Club – Genius of Love

Naked Eyes – Promises Promises

Tin Tin – Kiss Me

OMD – Electricity

Pet Shop Boys – West End Girls

Soft Cell – Bedsitter

Yazoo – Don’t Go

Apparently, the main melody of the Cure’s, “Close To Me” is all the rage in UK.  Two artists set to release the famed melody in their own compositions are Thomas Jules and Lady Sovereign.   I personally, am leaning toward Lady Sovereign’s use of the melody.  What do you all think?

Lady Sovereign – So Human

This track is taken from her sophomore album, “Jigsaw” which is set to release on April 6th.  BTW: You can also get another track off her upcoming album for free by visiting her myspace page here.

Thomas Jules – Get Close To Me

Thomas Jules is a soul singer/rapper from Brighton.

Vocals from Camden Chamberlain remind me alot of David Byrne of Talking Heads, which isn’t a bad thing… in fact it’s very much welcomed. And the music reminds me of 80’s band Sparks on this track.

Cavedoll

Biography:
Cavedoll is busy. In 2008, Cavedoll is releasing no less than 10 albums, consisting of a huge array of new material as well as their re-mixed, re-mastered, and re-packaged back catalogue; an eclectic assortment of styles and sounds.

Their flagship album, “No Vertigo”, consists of 14 of their best indie-pop gems, drawing on influences as diverse as 60’s Pop, Electronica, 80’s Alternative, and Modern Indie-Rock. Cavedoll’s production and vocal team of Camden and Vanessa Chamberlain adds a rich layer of harmony and impeccable style to each of the highly textural tracks, while their seasoned rhythm section of Janet Marie and Jamison Wilkins keep the beats driving along like a finely tuned muscle car. Rounding out the group is Allison Martin, providing lush and tasteful keys.

Deciding to embrace the digital age of music-listening, Cavedoll is also releasing a DATA DVD which contains Cavedoll’s entire song catalogue in MP3 format (175+ songs) as well as album artwork, photos, and videos.

Cavedoll will be spending 2008 touring the western United States as well writing and recording new material in their Salt Lake City based recording studio.

Check myspace.com/cavedollband for regular updates on tour dates, new material, and more.

Recommended for fans of: The Rapture, Interpol, Radiohead, & The Cure

Cavedoll – Decoder 

Drenched in 80’s synths and drums machines comes The Defence from Edinburgh, UK, with a sound that reminds me of the Pet Shop Boys meets The Human League.

Bio from their site:

The Band:

Keith Kerr
Vocals

Drew Cosgrove
Synthesizers

How we met:

In the summer of 1995 Drew placed an advert in the Melody Maker. Keith, who had already been in several bands, responded and our band was born. We sent our first demo to the Human League, asking if we could support them on the tour they were doing at the time. We needed a name and picked “The Defence” – because we wanted a name starting with “The” and “The Accused” sounded too much like an indie guitar band. Although we didn’t get to support the Human League a rep from Harvey Goldsmith was keen on our tunes. In 1997 we asked Heaven 17 if we could support them at their Edinburgh Fringe show. To our delight their manager called us and said we could – only for the whole thing to fall through because the Fringe organisers had already allocated support slots. We had to make do with VIP passes to the show. Ah, the cruel world of show business. It’s a hard life constantly failing to become international pop-stars. Still, spurred on by the success of Electroclash and the thrill we get from producing records we know that world domination is just around the corner.

By the way, their entire album can be downloaded from their website:

http://www.thedefence.com/html/music.html

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thedefence

The Defence – I Want to Be Alone

Ok, so I’ve found my favorite album thus far of 2008, its Kelly Polar’s sophomore effort entitled, “I Need You to Hold on While The Sky is Falling“, which is scheduled for release March 3, 2008.

Not only is the album drenched in 80’s nostalgia such as Analog synths, appregiated synth cords, and beautiful DX-7 pad sounds, but true to the 80’s era of albums, this albums begs to be listened to from start to finish.  This is such a breath of fresh air from modern releases that sound more like a collection of singles that are just thrown together for the sake of releasing an album.  Album boarders at times as synthpop, other times gets nearer to an 80’s Prince-esque sound, and yet at other times gets closers to that New Romantic sound of ABC and Thompson Twins.

This track in particular is more inline with classic Human League sound meets Thompson Twins groove.

[audio:http://www.audiodrums.com/audio/KellyPolar_EntropyReigns(intheCelestial.mp3]

[download]

Related Post: A cut from Kelly Pollar’s first album: Ashamed of Myself 

NOTE: As always, to download the songs from this site just right click on the link “download” and select “Save Link as…”

Influenced by all things 80’s, Manzur Iqbal from Manchester UK has set out to recreate 80’s themes with a twist.  Part DaftPunk, part Justice, and part pop you’ll get 80’s imagery with no problem here.

[audio:http://highrize.wordpress.com/files/2007/11/futurecop-transformers.mp3] 

[download] 

[myspace]